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Podcasts Off-Ramp
Gil Garcetti celebrates Disney Hall's 10th birthday with the ironworkers who built it
Off-Ramp with John Rabe Hero Image
(
Dan Carino
)
Sep 26, 2013
Listen • 5:55
Gil Garcetti celebrates Disney Hall's 10th birthday with the ironworkers who built it
Most everyone who sees Disney Hall thinks of Frank Gehry, its architect. But without a highly trained crew of iron workers, it'd still be a dream.
Iron Workers pose for a photo during the construction of Walt Disney Concert Hall
Iron Workers pose for a photo during the construction of Walt Disney Concert Hall
(
Gil Garcetti
)
Photographer Gil Garcetti, Ironworkers 433 President Piedmont Brown, iron worker Sue Mann.
Photographer Gil Garcetti, Ironworkers 433 President Piedmont Brown, iron worker Sue Mann.
(
John Rabe
)
A photograph from Iron: Erecting the Walt Disney Concert Hall
A photograph from Iron: Erecting the Walt Disney Concert Hall
(
Gil Garcetti
)
Frank Gehry had the design, but ironworkers helped make the Walt Disney Concert Hall a reality.
Frank Gehry had the design, but ironworkers helped make the Walt Disney Concert Hall a reality.
(
Gil Garcetti
)
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall
(
John Rabe
)
Ironworker Sue Mann with her Gil Garcetti portrait during the building of Disney Hall.
Ironworker Sue Mann with her Gil Garcetti portrait during the building of Disney Hall.
(
John Rabe
)
Inside Downtown Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall as it was under construction
Inside Downtown Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall as it was under construction
(
Gil Garcetti
)
Photographer Gil Garcetti speaks at the Colburn School opening for his Disney Hall photo exhibit as his son, Mayor Eric Garcetti, looks on.
Photographer Gil Garcetti speaks at the Colburn School opening for his Disney Hall photo exhibit as his son, Mayor Eric Garcetti, looks on.
(
John Rabe
)
Working hands. Clockwise from top: Ironworkers 433 President Piedmont Brown, iron worker Sue Mann, photographer Gil Garcetti.
Working hands. Clockwise from top: Ironworkers 433 President Piedmont Brown, iron worker Sue Mann, photographer Gil Garcetti.
(
John Rabe
)

Most everyone who sees Disney Hall thinks of Frank Gehry, its architect. But without a highly trained crew of iron workers, it'd still be a dream.

Most everyone who sees the Walt Disney Concert Disney Hall thinks of Frank Gehry, its architect. True, he had the dream, but without a highly trained crew of ironworkers, it'd still be a dream. On the Hall's 10th anniversary, local ironworkers celebrated their efforts and were joined in the celebration by former L.A. County District Atttorney Gil Garcetti. 

After Gil Garcetti (father to mayor Eric Garcetti) retired from politics, he took up what he called his "second major career," photography. Garcetti began by photographing the construction of the Walt Disney Concert Hall and in doing so created a compelling portrait of the local ironworkers tasked with building the unique building. 

Garcetti's photographs eventually became the main content for his book "Iron: Erecting the Walt Disney Concert Hall" and "Frozen Music." Now, 10 years after the hall opened its doors, the Colburn School of Music has some of Garcetti's photos on exhibit. 

Off-Ramp host John Rabe went to the opening, where Garcetti and several of the ironworkers involved with the project spoke about their experience with the concert hall's construction.